Back to photostream

Soil scientists identifying a hydric soil sample site; Anchorage area, Alaska

Soil scientists record the characteristics of the pedons, associated plant communities, geology, landforms, and other features that they study. They describe the kind and arrangement of soil horizons and their color, texture, size and shape of soil aggregates, kind and amount of rock fragments, distribution of plant roots, reaction, and other features that enable them to classify and identify soils. They describe plant species present (their combinations, productivity, and condition) to classify plant communities, correlate them to the soils with which they are typically associated, and predict their response to management and change.

 

The Icknuun soil series (a hydric soil) consists of very deep, very poorly drained soils that formed in organic material interlayered with thin strata of mineral material. Icknuun soils are in depressions on till plains. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent.

 

Hydric soils are formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Federal Register, 1994). Most hydric soils exhibit characteristic morphologies that result from repeated periods of saturation or inundation that last more than a few days.

 

To download the latest version of "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils" and additional technical references, visit:

www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=s...

 

TAXONOMIC CLASS: Euic Fluvaquentic Cryohemists

 

USE AND VEGETATION: Wildlife habitat and recreation. The natural vegetation is mainly sedges, sphagnum moss, bog birch, Labrador tea, and other low-growing shrubs and forbs.

 

DISTRIBUTION AND EXTENT: Cook Inlet-Susitna Lowlands. The series is of small extent.

 

For a detailed description, visit:

soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/I/ICKNUUN.html

 

For geographic distribution, visit:

casoilresource.lawr.ucdavis.edu/see/#icknuun

1,871 views
14 faves
4 comments
Uploaded on March 20, 2022
Taken on June 3, 2008